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Khabilov fired a few early punches and backed Johnson up with a right hand. Johnson countered with low kicks and push kicks. A minute in, Johnson landed a solid straight right hand. The two tried to find openings witih jabs and kicks, and Johnson seemed to have Khabilov frustrated with a lack of takedown opportunities. With two seconds left, Johnson drilled Khabilov with a huge left kick right to the face, but somehow Khabilov stayed on his feet just before the horn.

Khabilov landed nicely in the first 90 seconds of the second and looked like he was about to finally get a takedown. But with Johnson balancing on one leg, he avoided heading to the canvas. Two minutes later, he avoided a big uppercut. Khabilov tried for a takedown and despite a few seconds of defense from Johnson he finally got the fight to the canvas. When Khabilov postured up, Johnson had a brief threat of a triangle choke, then an armbar, but Khabilov worked out and Johnson recovered to full guard. Khabilov kept top position for the rest of the round and when he stood up, wouldn’t let Johnson get back to his feet to head to the final frame.

Johnson landed a pair of knees in the third to make things interesting, and when Khabilov took him down midway through, Johnson reversed and bounced right back up. Not long after, Khabilov went after another takedown, but Johnson stayed upright. But Khabilov got a takedown in the final minute and that no doubt played well with the judges.

Khabilov won for the sixth straight time. Johnson lost for the second straight time after a four-fight winning streak.